Intraoperative prophylactic right ventricular assist device in prevention of postcardiotomy failure.

Objectives: In patients at risk of developing right ventricular failure after cardiac surgery, right ventricular support with a ventricular assist device may be a promising strategy to reduce mortality. We present our experience with intraoperative right ventricular assist device implantation as a prevention strategy of right ventricular failure after cardiac surgery.

Methods: Between 2016 and 2022, we implanted four right ventricular assist devices prophylactically in a series of patients with surgical indication for valvular heart disease and high risk of postoperative right ventricular failure.

Primary pulmonary artery sarcoma: a new surgical technique for pulmonary artery reconstruction using a self-made stapled bovine pericardial graft conduit.

Primary pulmonary artery sarcoma is an uncommon neoplasm with a grim prognosis. Complete resection is the only treatment that can improve the patient's survival. The role of multimodality treatment is still controversial, although adjuvant chemotherapy possibly could improve outcomes of these patients.